Britain’s most popular EVER 50p – and how you can WIN one…

st 2016 peter rabbit silver proof 50p coin close up - Britain's most popular EVER 50p - and how you can WIN one...

The 2016 Peter Rabbit Silver Proof Coloured 50p Coin

29 February 2016 – the release date of the Peter Rabbit 50p – will go down in the record books as one of the most remarkable days in coin collecting history. 

Because in just a few days all 15,000 coloured Silver Proof Peter Rabbit 50ps had SOLD OUT – making it the fastest selling and most popular Silver UK 50p coin EVER.

And they could have sold more – thousands of collectors were left disappointed. Nowadays, on the rare occasion a coin comes up for sale, it will go for around £400 on Ebay. Not a bad return for a coin that originally cost £55!

WIN this Peter Rabbit Coloured Silver 50p!

st 2016 peter rabbit silver proof 50p coin in box close up - Britain's most popular EVER 50p - and how you can WIN one...

You can win this Peter Rabbit 50p – they change hands for up to £500 on Ebay!

Now, one year on, we have managed to get hold of one of these ultra-rare coins in pristine condition (with all original packaging) and here’s how you can WIN it…

Simply enter your details below and we will draw one luck winner out of the hat on 5 April 2017. It’s that easy – so good luck and fingers crossed!

Unfortunately the competition is now closed – the winner has been notified by email.


Terms & Conditions

1. No purchase is necessary to enter.
2. The draw will take place on 5 April and the winner will be notified on that day by email to the email address provided.
3. The winner will receive the “Peter Rabbit Coloured Silver 50p”.  There is no cash alternative.
4. Participants agree to meet reasonable requests to assist publicity if required.
5. The prize draw is promoted by The Westminster Collection, trading division of 288 Group Ltd.
6. Employees of 288 Group and their families are not eligible to enter.

Royal Mint announces new coin themes for 2015

2015 is set to be something of a momentous year for coin collectors, with five significant anniversaries to be commemorated next year. They are:

£2 – The 800th Anniversary of the Magna Carta

2015 magna carta - Royal Mint announces new coin themes for 2015marks 800 years since the signing of the Magna Carta – an agreement which forced King John to abide by the ancient laws and customs by which England had previously been governed. Literally translated as “Great Charter” it laid the foundations for modern democracy and the rights of English citizens. In fact, it is still cited in many legal cases to this day.

50p – 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britainbattle of britain - Royal Mint announces new coin themes for 2015

Perhaps surprisingly, this will be the first time that the Battle of Britain is commemorated on a United Kingdom coin. In the summer of 1940, Nazi Germany was advancing through Europe, but their failure to gain air superiority over the RAF in Britain was ultimately one of the turning points of the war.

£2 – 100th Anniversary of the First World War – Royal Navy

The second design in the series of First World War £2 coins pays tribute to the role of the Royal Navy. At the time, it was by far the most powerful navy in the world and was a major asset to Britain in defending coastal waters against the Germans.

waterloo - Royal Mint announces new coin themes for 2015 £5 – 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo

Also making its debut on United Kingdom coinage for 2015 is the Battle of Waterloo. Fought by the Duke of Wellington and his allied armies against Napoleon Bonaparte of France in 1815, it was a defining moment in European history – ending 20 years of conflict in the continent.

£5 – 50th Anniversary of the Death of Winston Churchill

churchill - Royal Mint announces new coin themes for 2015There are few Britons more worthy of commemoration than the wartime Prime Minister himself, Sir Winston Churchill. Following his death in 1965 he became the first person outside of the Royal family to be commemorated on a coin, and now, fifty years on, he is being honoured again on a new £5 coin.

Next year the Queen is due to become the longest reigning monarch in British history, and there will soon be a new portrait on our coins to honour her. With the final appearance of the long-standing effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS and five very noteworthy anniversaries, it already looks like 2015 will be a truly landmark year for coin collectors.

Could this be the last ever Scottish 50p?

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The last ever Scottish 50p?

Scotland has long enjoyed good representation on UK currency, especially on the commemorative coins of the last 30 years.

But with the vote for Scottish independence looming, could this be the end for Scottish themes on coins used across the whole of Britain?

If so, the 50p just issued to mark the Glasgow Commonwealth Games would become the last ever Scottish 50p issued whilst the Union is still intact.

Firsts and lasts

Collectors know that ‘firsts’ and ‘lasts’ are often the most sought after issues.  Sometimes this only becomes apparent in the years following the event – when the true importance of the coin is revealed.

With this in mind, the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games 50p could be one of the most unintentionally important issues of the early 21st century.

You have to go back to 1707 to find the last pre-Union coins, struck during the reign of Queen Anne.  These are now some of the most collectable issues of her reign, and usually the preserve of serious collections only.

So if you happen to be the owner of one of these 50ps, only time will tell how important it could become – regardless it’s a coin with a story of genuine national importance, and one that should definitely be considered for your collection.


If you are interested…

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The DateStamp(TM) UK Commonwealth Games 50p

The Westminster Collection has a small number of these 50ps remaining from our Commonwealth Games commemorative range.

They are encapsulated and postmarked on the day of the closing ceremony, making them particularly limited.  Click here for more information.